The Best of the Best Restaurants in Portland, Oregon

Few cities the size of Portland have as vibrant and creative a restaurant scene. The numerous farmer's markets and urban gardens illustrate that Portlanders take their food seriously. The bar has been raised so high that one can expect to find excellent, affordable fare from the food carts parked around downtown. This has made the restaurants work even harder to please their guests with innovative cooking and sustainably produced food. Even the local fast food chain, Burgerville, brags about its utilization of local agriculture. Influxes of various immigrant populations have made authentic food from every continent easily accessible. Excellent Lebanese, Ethiopian, Indian, Thai, Japanese, French and Italian dining can be found within a few mile's radius. Every neighborhood in this city has its own flavor. This particular top-ten list shows a range of what Portland has to offer. From family cafes to tapas bars we have selected the best. From the new and experimental to the traditional favorites, this list provides a range of suggestions from the cream of Portland's restaurant crop.

Southern cooking is done right at the Screen Door Restaurant. Considered one of the best weekend brunch spots in Portland, Screen Door is also open for dinner five nights a week. Preparing the best of southern food without pretense, the menu caters to palates with the most simple to most sophisticated tastes. Some southern classic dishes include fried buttermilk-battered chicken, Low Country shrimp and grits and Carolina pulled pork. But there is also an extensive menu of salads and vegetable dishes which changes according to availability. Screen Door offers great comfort food creatively prepared.
If possible make a reservation or get there early to beat the crowd.

Southern cooking is done right at the Screen Door Restaurant. Considered one of the best weekend brunch spots in Portland, Screen Door is also open for dinner five nights a week. Preparing the best of southern food without pretense, the menu... Read More

Located in Portland's downtown Cultural District, Higgins makes for an easy convenient night on the town when combined with a trip to the concert hall or theater. Higgins provides elegance with a creative, ever-changing seasonal menu of primarily local food. Chef and owner, Greg Higgins, is an expert in Northwest Cuisine, making best use of the indigenous flora and fauna. Recipes are inventive and the environment is simple, yet sophisticated. Higgins is a favorite downtown lunch destination and their bistro menu is always available at the bar. The philosophy of the restaurant is to support the best organic agricultural processes by serving the best organically produce food. And the food is always fresh because Higgins only serves what is in season.

Located in Portland's downtown Cultural District, Higgins makes for an easy convenient night on the town when combined with a trip to the concert hall or theater. Higgins provides elegance with a creative, ever-changing seasonal menu of... Read More

Beast is the adventurous carnivore's delight. One six-course dinner is offered each week, Wednesday through Sunday. Price is per person and the small dining room offers two seatings per night, at 6 and 8:45. The menu each week is the invention of the two women who own Beast, and they are inspired by what they find in the market. As the name suggests, the dinners are heavy on meats of all kinds. Vegetarians should not despair as Beast is now periodically offering a vegetarian meal series on some Tuesdays. Though one of Portland's more expensive restaurants, Beast offers a completely unique dining experience with dishes that cannot be found anywhere else. Hand-selected wine parings for each course are available. Sunday brunch offers a different menu with the same creative flare.

Beast is the adventurous carnivore's delight. One six-course dinner is offered each week, Wednesday through Sunday. Price is per person and the small dining room offers two seatings per night, at 6 and 8:45. The menu each week is the... Read More

One restaurant that appears on just about everybody's best-of Portland list is Andina. With the tagline, "A Taste of Peru in the Pearl," Andina has taken traditional South American cuisine to the level of fine art. Located in the heart of Portland's Pearl District, the neighborhood is comprised of boutique shops, art galleries and old industrial building converted into high-end lofts. Andina has a formal dining room and a more casual bar featuring live, Latin-influnced music every night of the week. Though Andina is one of the more expensive restaurants in Portland, most diners agree that the food and attentive service is well worth the cost. The tapas menu, happy hour and lunch offerings make sampling Andina food affordable for almost anyone.

One restaurant that appears on just about everybody's best-of Portland list is Andina. With the tagline, "A Taste of Peru in the Pearl," Andina has taken traditional South American cuisine to the level of fine art. Located in the heart of... Read More

Pok Pok a strictly Thai restaurant in Portland, Oregon is the creation of Andy Ricker. He won the James Beard award for best chef because of Pok Pok. Andy is often seen on tv judging food competitions.
At Pok Pok you will find all the authentic dishes you could expect to find walking the streets of downtown Bangkok. They use as many locally grown organic ingredients as possible, and their menu is completely free of MSG and features dishes that all are either vegan or can easily be made so. There's no doubt, if you want to eat genuine Thai food, this is as close as you can get without leaving the country.

Pok Pok a strictly Thai restaurant in Portland, Oregon is the creation of Andy Ricker. He won the James Beard award for best chef because of Pok Pok. Andy is often seen on tv judging food competitions.
At Pok Pok you will find all the... Read More

A taste of New Orleans in the Pacific Northwest. That's what you'll find at this intimate bistro located in the northeastern section of the city. From classic Cajun and Creole favorites like seafood gumbo jambalaya and shrimp Creole, the menu is sure to please. You'll find a mix of meat, pasta and vegetable dishes as well as down home desserts that seem to come right from a homey, Southern kitchen, including bread pudding, butter cake and Creole pecan pie. Visit on Monday's and enjoy special discounts from their Mardi Gras Mondays Cheap Eats Menu including a 3 course dinner for only $20.

A taste of New Orleans in the Pacific Northwest. That's what you'll find at this intimate bistro located in the northeastern section of the city. From classic Cajun and Creole favorites like seafood gumbo jambalaya and shrimp Creole, the menu is... Read More

Little Bird Bistro is a beautiful, intimate French restaurant in southwest Portland and chances are you are familiar with its more expensive sister restaurant Le Pigeon. It's a perfect place for a lunch or dinner date. Here you can find unique dishes like Fois Gras, bone marrow, lemon creme brulee, and more. They offer different types of oysters and a fish selection everyday. Along with their exquisite food they offer a simple wine and champagne menu. The wait staff is knowledgeable and attentive. They are open for lunch and dinner. They stay open each night until midnight. If possible make a reservation.

Little Bird Bistro is a beautiful, intimate French restaurant in southwest Portland and chances are you are familiar with its more expensive sister restaurant Le Pigeon. It's a perfect place for a lunch or dinner date. Here you can find unique... Read More

Imperial is owned by one of the most acclaimed chefs in Portland, Vitaly Paley. This cozy restaurant is located in the historic Hotel Lucia. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
During dinner time you can enjoy meats cooked to perfection over a wood fire grill, including seafood caught here in the Pacific Northwest. From pig's tail to octopus they have a little bit of everything on their ever changing menu.
Happy Hour is everyday 2pm to 6pm in the bar only and again late at night Sunday - Thursday 10pm to 11pm and Friday & Saturday 11pm to 12am.

Imperial is owned by one of the most acclaimed chefs in Portland, Vitaly Paley. This cozy restaurant is located in the historic Hotel Lucia. They are open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
During dinner time you can enjoy meats cooked to... Read More

Nak Won is quite possibly the best Korean restaurant in the greater Portland area and worth a drive out to Beaverton just to dine here.. At Nak Won you can enjoy large portions of Bulgogi, Bibimbap, Kimchi Pork Belly, Black Bean Noodle, Tofu soup, and so much more. No matter what you eat, you are served a variety of banchan (side dishes) at no extra cost like their Korean version of potato salad. Their Korean pancakes are outrageously good, so be sure to get one in addition to whatever else you ordered.
Nak Won also offers some Korean barbeque options.

Nak Won is quite possibly the best Korean restaurant in the greater Portland area and worth a drive out to Beaverton just to dine here.. At Nak Won you can enjoy large portions of Bulgogi, Bibimbap, Kimchi Pork Belly, Black Bean Noodle, Tofu... Read More

Luc Lac is an outstanding Vietnamese restaurant in downtown Portland. The only thing more outrageous than their low prices is how delicious the food is. The chicken curry is jammed pack with veggies, the honey chicken is a large portion with rice and spring roll, and their secret family recipe pho comes in heaping portions. On top of great food they have incredible cocktails, beer, and wine.
Luc Lac is open for lunch during the weekdays and open for dinner everyday. They stay open until midnight on weekdays and 4 am on weekends making this a go to place for late night dining.

Luc Lac is an outstanding Vietnamese restaurant in downtown Portland. The only thing more outrageous than their low prices is how delicious the food is. The chicken curry is jammed pack with veggies, the honey chicken is a large portion with... Read More

Meet Meagan Wristen

Meagan Wristen is an Oregon resident by choice and thinks Portland is a tremendous city that everyone should visit. Originally a Texas girl, she has lived all around the United States,... More About Meagan